Buildings and Tourist Attractions in Guadalajara's Historic Center
Introducing a top of places to visit in the Historic Center of Guadalajara, Jalisco. These are places that you can easily reach on foot and that will give you another perspective on how you see and know the city for its great historical, cultural and gastronomic value.
Guadalajara hides in its entrails an endless number of interesting places full of history, as well as a great variety of entertainment within the Historical Center. Here is a top list of places to visit downtown.
These are places that you can easily reach on foot and that will certainly give you another perspective on how you see and know the city for its great historical, cultural and gastronomic value.
Main Square - With a beautiful Art Nouveau kiosk that was made in Paris in the 19th century. The four seasons are represented in the corners of the plaza with beautiful Greco-Latin sculptures. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons the traditional serenades are held with the presentation of the State and Municipal bands.
Coat of Arms of the City of Guadalajara - Bronze sculptural group, with two lions on an oak tree. To the side, two steles of 6 meters in height indicate that in 1539 King Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany granted the title of city to Guadalajara.
Mariachi Square or Patio Tapatío - Presents live music, Thursday to Sunday from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Karaoke nights, Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 PM to 3:00 AM.
Founders Square - A sculptural group of 21 meters long and 3 meters high designed by the Jalisco artist Rafael Zamarripa stands out.
Government Palace - It dates from 1750 and has a quarry façade, where the gargoyles with forms of armor stand out. In its interior two amazing murals by José Clemente Orozco can be admired. Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm
Guadalajara Square - With gardens and a beautiful fountain. It houses simple cafes and commercial passages.
Municipal Palace - The quarry building was inaugurated in 1952. Its interior shows paintings by artist Gabriel Flores illustrating the founding of the city.
Legislative Palace - Neoclassical building from the 18th century. It was remodeled in 1982 to be the seat of congress. Inside there is a wall covered with Tonalá ceramics. Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm.
The Rotunda of Illustrious Men - Circular monument supported by 17 columns. It houses the remains of outstanding Jalisco citizens.
Degollado Theater - This beautiful neoclassical building was inaugurated in 1866. Its vault has frescoes that allude to the Divine Comedy and the facade is covered with quarry stone with a marble relief. It has a capacity of 1026 people.
Tapatía Square - Modern plaza built-in 1982. It extends half a kilometer to the Cabañas Institute and has several stores, restaurants, and an interesting sculptural group, where the Fountain of the Immolation of Quetzalcoatl stands out. The central figure measures 25 meters high and the allegories 6 meters each with a weight of 23 tons; to its sides are located the main jewelry centers of the city. In the Devil's Alley is located what was the headquarters of the Holy Inquisition and that at the moment houses the offices of the Sría. of Tourism. Also located here are the Dancing Fountains that dance to the beat of the music and during the night are accompanied by colored lights.
Belen Pantheon - Built-in 1848, it houses the remains of many characters that stood out in politics, education, science, music, literature, etc. It is an enigmatic place full of legends, with tombs of such unique architecture that it has become a museum. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday tours at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Thursday to Saturday at 8:30 pm, 10 pm, and 11:30 pm.
Palace of Justice - Built-in 1588 it was part of a Convent. In the stairway, there is a beautiful mural by Guillermo Chávez Vega. Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.
San Juan de Dios Market - It is the largest covered market in Latin America. It offers a wide variety of products such as handicrafts, typical sweets, and small restaurants with Mexican snacks.
El Castillo (Casa Colomos) - Inaugurated in 1902, it is a cultural center where there are exhibitions and art courses.
Guadalajara Zoo - One of the most modern zoos in Mexico, it has a herpetarium, dolphinarium, two aviaries, a children's zoo, an interactive museum, and restaurants.
Avila Camacho Park - It has sports courts, swimming pools, mechanical games, picnic areas, and beautiful gardens. Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 3 pm to 8 pm. Saturdays and Sundays 11 am to 7:30 pm.
Selva Mágica Amusement Park - It has 33 mechanical games, the largest roller coaster in the West, the Marine World with dolphin and seal shows, and bird shows. Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm.
Agua Azul Park - It has an acoustic shell, where outdoor shows are presented, the art garden, the butterfly house, aviary, orchid garden, and soccer fields. Hours: Daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
Paseo Chapultepec - It is located between José Guadalupe Montenegro and Guadalupe Zuno streets and has become one of the favorite places in the city, both for locals and visitors. It has a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars. It is not uncommon for the street to be closed to traffic and become the stage for concerts, or the venue for music and chess workshops, to name a few. On Saturdays, there are painters, booksellers, and artisans who fill the street with color.
